Media Advisory: UW-Green Bay Students to Perform ‘Twitter Reenactment’ of the Great Green Bay Fire of 1880, Dec. 6

Followed by Public Talk by Firefighter and Author David Siegel

Green Bay, Wis. — Twenty-eight UW-Green Bay History students will shine a light on a near-forgotten event in Green Bay history, the Great Green Bay Fire of Sep. 20, 1880. The ‘Twitter Reenactment’ of the Great Green Bay Fire of 1880 will take place Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in Wood Hall 216 (2380 Wood Hall Drive), UW-Green Bay.

On that hot fall day, sparks from the ship Oconto started a fire that tore through the east side, destroying about 100 structures and causing one death. Using research of the life and times of actual people alive in Green Bay, students from the class will “reenact” the events on Twitter! Their characters will describe what they are seeing, feeling, and doing, from the time the blaze started until it was finally extinguished.

The Twitter audience will be able to interact with the characters and ask them questions through live tweets. What a great way to experience a key moment in Green Bay’s history, right on your smart phone! The Twitter hashtag to follow the event is #GBFire1880.

The Twitter reenactment will be followed by a public talk by local author and firefighter David Siegel, who consulted on the project. Siegel’s lecture is from 2:15-3:15 p.m. in the Christie Theater, University Union.

Members of the media and public are invited. Advance interviews available. Contact Assistant Prof. Jon Shelton, sheltonj@uwgb.edu or 920-465-2161.

About the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,158 students. The University transforms lives and communities through exceptional and award-winning teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities and a problem-solving approach to education. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.